The Japanese economy had collapse. An American bomber dropped anatomic bomb on Hiroshima. The attack left 80,000 dead, and thousands of others injured beyond repair.
on December 7, Japanese plans bombed pearl harbor. This destroyed eight battle ships and killed 2,500 Americans. Japan followed up and took over Hong Kong.
Japan joined an alliance with Germany and Italy. They were known as an Axis. Apponants of the Axis were Britian, France and the Soviet Union. America cut off oil and other supplies from Japan that were vital.
Military forces expanded into China. in 1937, Japan forced the Chinese military out. The Chinese wanted to control Japan, but Japan wanted to be its own independent nation.
Almost half of all factory workers were women now in japan. The government required that children go to elementary school. The press gained influence in shaping public oppinion.
a written constitution was presented to the people by their leader. Japan was adapting western ideas to japanese rule. Laws abollished torture, and set rules regarding evidence and court procedures.
Rebels from Japan forced the Shogun to step down from the thrown. Samurai made Japan modernize so that Japan could keep up with other countries. Meiji reformers got hundreds of Japanese to go to europe to study western government, industry, and military organization.
In 1853, four American ships anchored Tokyo Bay. Japan did not want to trade with America, but America wanted to keep japans ports open for trade. Japan refused to keep their ports open, so America FORCED them to trade. Japan was upset because they wanted to be their own seperate isolated nation.
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